Passing the test

While students' report cards may be a priority for parents, Iowa K-12 schools also get graded for performance on annual basis.

Both Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn and Clay Central/Everly received passing grades in the latest Iowa School Performance Profiles released by the Iowa Department of Education. The annual assessment reviews schools' growth and proficiency rates in math, language arts and other facets like chronic absenteeism.

"I am pleased with the collective effort of the district," said H-M-S Superintendent Patrick Carlin. "The school board worked to develop a vision, the principals and staff bought in and worked to implement and support that vision, and our students are experiencing some of the successes of the collective team effort from the school board, principals, teachers and staff."

Schools are collectively rated based on the percentage of points earned from each assessment category: Exceptional (78.25 percent and above), High Performing (69.6-78.24 percent), Commendable (60.95-69.59 percent), Acceptable (52.3-60.94 percent), Needs Improvement (42.37-52.29 percent) and Priority/Comprehensive (42.36 percent and below).

The state average score this year was 60.95 percent. All three schools at H-M-S were rated in the middle two categories: Elementary, 64.77 percent, Commendable; middle school, 63.98 percent Commendable; and high school, 59.97 percent, Acceptable. Last year, the elementary, middle school and high school were rated Acceptable, High Performing and Commendable, respectively.

"District wide, I was pleased with the proficiency and growth in math, language arts and science, ranging from 4 to 9 points higher than the state average," Carlin said.

Overall academic growth stood out to Carlin, who credited several long-term initiatives to improve student learning like adopting the professional learning community framework. Improvement has also been supported by implementing curriculum such as Illustrative Math and Amplify Literacy, and staff professional development.

"It is great to see the school board's vision to align our instruction, resources and training make a significant impact for our students," said Carlin.

Though pleased with this year's report card, the superintendent said H-M-S always strives to be better.

"Our principals and leadership teams will review their building data, as well as the systems and processes that impact each data set. From there our teams will identify needs, changes and support to improve specific areas," he said. "They will research best practices and strategies. The district will then incorporate these strategies into future professional developments and work to keep resources, training and practices in alignment."

• CC/E improves rating in 2024

Clay Central/Everly Elementary earned an overall score of 68.29 percent, which was rated Commendable. The designation was a big improvement on last year's Needs Improvement rating.

"We have worked very hard at CC/E to make sure 100 percent of our students are given the FAST Screening Assessments three times each year in Reading and Math, and provided quality interventions when data indicates the need," said Principal Michelle Huntress. "I am very pleased with our overall Commendable school rating."

Huntress was happy with CC/E's reading and math scores that were well above state averages, as well as a "fairly low" absenteeism rate.

"Because of small class sizes, we are able to individualize student learning, provide added instructional time as needed for students who need a boost, and we can celebrate student growth over the year with them each spring," she said. "We love working closely with families to see each and every child make progress toward important academic goals, social skill development, and growth in extra-curricular learning such as vocal music, band, PE, and drama club."

As always, Huntress said the district will maintain its focus on helping students be the best they can be in the classroom and beyond.

"Our mission is to grow lifelong learners who know how to set and attain goals for themselves in an ongoing manner," she said. "Our Mavericks are amazing young people, and we are delighted to support their learning needs each and every day."